The fundamental definition of socialism is the society where the populace influences the factors of production – land, labour, goods, resources, and entrepreneurship (modern era). It can also be referred to as an economic, political, and social philosophy that comprises varied systems in economic and social settings known for the public ownership of the factors of production and the individual management of businesses. Socialism also encompasses the political theories and ideologies related to the structure of these systems. It is often debated that socialism offers a system that promotes equality among different persons, as it allows all to thrive on common grounds.
The development of the system of socialism in society resulted in the conflict and disapproval of the abuses and irregularities existing in capitalism and individualism. As far back as the late 18th and 19th centuries, economies of western European countries functioning under the system of capitalism witnessed rapid growth and progress in compound economic development and industrial generation. However, this created a huge socioeconomic gap in society. A few people in these European countries amassed incredible wealth within a short time at the expanse of many others who sunk into poverty. This caused an obvious income disparity among people and created certain societal challenges.
In diverse ways, socialism has affected the economy and politics. There are socialism theories that govern major aspects of the economy of countries. In the United States, for instance, economic theories are key instruments for growing the country. This collection contains varied articles that cover important topics relating to socialism, politics, and the economy. It also comprises economic models and socialism theories enacted by scholars and governments. Exceptional and insightful books included in this collection include Wealth of Nations, political economy for beginners, an exposure of socialism, and many others.
Take a look at the sample pages taken from just some of these books in the collection.
All of the book titles that are included in this DVD are listed as follows:
The Superstition called Socialism by GW Von Tunzelmann 1911
Seligman/Nearing Debate - Capitalism has more to Offer the workers of the USA than has Socialism
Socialism, the Creed of Despair" Joint Debate 1909
Fallacies of Socialism Exposed by Samuel Smith 1885
State Socialism and Anarchism by Benjamin Tucker 1886
LIBERTY AND TAXATION by Benjamin Tucker
An Exposure of Socialism by Max Hirsch 1904
Why No Good Catholic can Become a Socialist by Kenelm Digby Best 1909
Socialism: its Fallacies and Dangers by Fred Millar 1906
A Critical Examination of Socialism By William Hurrell Mallock 1907
Socialism: Its Nature, its Dangers by Moritz Kaufmann 1874
My Dear Wells: being a Series of Letters addressed by Henry Arthur Jones to Mr. H.G. Wells, upon Bolshevism, Collectivism, Internationalism and the Distribution of Wealth by Henry Arthur Jones 1921
Socialism Exposed and Refuted By Victor Cathrein 1892
Socialism: Its Theoretical Basis and Practical Application By Victor Cathrein 1904
The Autobiography of an Individualist by James Octavius Fagan 1912
Individualism vs Socialism by William Jennings Bryan in the Century Magazine 1906
The Constitution of the USA and the Decaration of Independence in German, French and English in Parallel Columns 1888
Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
The Right to Ignore the State by Herbert Spencer 1851
Political Economy For Beginners by MG Fawcett 1900
The Greatest Failure in all History, a Critical Examination of the Actual Workings of Bolshevism in Russia by John Spargo 1920
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Principles and Problems of Government by Bertha Haines 1921
Capital and Interest, a Critical History of Economical Theory (Austrian School) by Eugen von Bohm-Bawerk 1922
Karl Marx and the Close of His System by Eugen von Bohm-Bawerk (first 217 pages only) 1896
Positive Theory of Capital by Eugen von Bohm-Bawerk
Two Treatises of Government by John Locke 1821
John Locke argued that legitimate authority depended on the consent of the governed.
The Case for Capitalism by Hartley Withers 1920
The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia 1900 "
With all the defects of our constitutions, whether general or particular, the comparison of pur governments with those of Europe, is like a comparison of heaven and hell."
The Big List of Libertarian Quotes
THE WORLD'S BEST ORATIONS Volume 10
"a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned This is the sum of good government."
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill 1878
Elements of Individualism by William Maccall 1847
The State; its History and Development Viewed Sociologically by Franz Oppenheimer 1922
On the Principles of Political Economy by David Ricardo 1821
Ricardo was an early free market economist
The Sphere and Duties of Government (The Limits of State Action) by William von Humboldt 1854
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Goverment
Life without Principle by Henry David Thoreau
The American Credo by HL Mencken 1922
The New Democracy by Walter Weyl 1920, with a chapter on THE INDIVIDUALISTIC SPIRIT OF AMERICA
Industrial Combination by David Hutchison MacGregor 1906
"The main stock of the American nation are the most individualistic people that have ever lived on the earth, with an individualism which runs through every possible degree and combination. This is the atmosphere which all breathe; the environment in which all action takes place; the fundamental fact for the economist."
DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA by Alexis De Tocqueville
Men versus the Man; a Correspondence between Robert Rives La Monte, Socialist, and H.L. Mencken, Individualist 1910
The Slavery of Our Times by Leo Tolstoy -
THE slavery of our times results from three sets of laws-those about land, taxes, and property. And, therefore, all the attempts of those who wish to improve the position of the workers are inevitably, though unconsciously, directed against those three legislations.
Economic sophisms by Frederick Bastiat 1873
Essays on Political Economy by Frederick Bastiat
Harmonies of political economy by Frederick Bastiat 1860
What is free trade by Frederick Bastiat 1867 (searchable pdf)
Bastiat was the author of many works on economics and political economy, generally characterized by their clear organization, forceful argumentation, and acerbic wit. Among his better known works is Economic Sophisms, which contains many strongly-worded attacks on statist policies. Contained within Economic Sophisms is the famous satirical parable known as the "Candlemakers' petition" which presents itself as a demand from the candlemakers' guild to the French government, asking the government to block out the Sun to prevent its unfair competition with their products. He also facetiously "advocated" the cutting off of everyone's right hand, based on the assumptions that more difficulty means more work and more work means more wealth.
A Modest Proposal: For Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick, commonly referred to as A Modest Proposal, is a satirical essay by Jonathan Swift in 1729. Swift appears to suggest in his essay that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling children as food for rich gentlemen and ladies. By doing this he mocks the authority of the British officials. This is when Britain had taken over Ireland and put heavy restrictions on their trade, stifling their economy. The essay has been noted by historians as being the first documented satirical essay.
The Man Versus the State by Herbert Spencer 1902
Spencer stressed individuality and self-interest. In his view, government should get out of the way, or at most serve as a "night-watchman", and allow human beings freedom to compete. In this competition, the weak would die and the strong survive, to the eventual improvement of the human race.
The divine drama of history and civilisation by James E Smith 1854
Although an early Owenite socialist, he eventually rejected its collective idea of property, and found in individualism a "universalism" that allowed for the development of the "original genius."
The Men who Found America by FH Hutchison 1909
History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States Volume 1 by G. Curtis 1861
History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States Volume 2 by G. Curtis 1861
Shakespeare and the Founders of Liberty in America by Charles Gayley 1917